Pentecost : 19 May 2002

A detail from a painting by Giovanni Cimabue, in the lower level of the Basilica at Assisi.

The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco

Homilies from the National Shrine
of Saint Francis of Assisi

PENTECOST
19 MAY 2002

[Acts 2:1–11; 1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13; John 20:19–23]

WE TRADITIONALLY THINK of Pentecost as that marvelous day on which the Holy Spirit came to be present to our world and as the birth of the Church as we know it. Clearly, we are living in the era of the Spirit’s sanctification of our world and our lives.

But rather than reflect on these elements of our faith, I would offer you two different scenes for your consideration.

Let me set the first scene: When we think of the Holy Spirit, some images that come to mind are those of the power associated with wind or of the energy associated with tongues of flame. Everything that we know about the Holy Spirit suggests that there will be many things offered to us and many things done for us. We speak warmly of the Spirit using terms like: Comforter, Advocate, and Giver of Gifts. The terms reflect the many fruits of our relationship with the God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who takes away all problems and is pictured as the gentle dove who brings peace and healing to our world. In the ways in which we think about the Spirit there is always something positive occurring for us.

Now, let me set the second scene. How many of you have ever asked yourselves: “Why is God doing this to me?” Maybe you have heard the aphorism that “God never gives you more than you can handle.” There are those who are mad at God because of what God has done or has not done. They will turn away from God and blame God, or the Church, or priests, or others for their disappointments or losses. Sometimes people will ask why God is so cruel or so uncaring or so unfair.

Who is this God of the second scene? Do we have two gods here? In our monotheistic religion it is not possible to have two gods. The problem is that what seems to be two scenes are not really two, but one much large scenario with many complex and diverse elements.

The God whom we complain about in such distant tones is that same Holy Spirit that we speak so fondly about. Think for a moment about the life of Saint Paul. His letters reveal a sense that he is being “led by the Spirit.” And yet, he is being led through some rather horrible experiences: shipwreck, beatings, floggings, hard work, and so forth. The martyrs (both then and now) experienced terrible journeys: painful, fearful, even hateful.

The two scenes which I mentioned earlier are really the reflection of two aspects of our lives that will always remain with us—challenge and blessing. Notice that I did not say “good and bad.” I mean specifically challenge and blessing.

We always want the blessing; we would rather do without the challenge. But the Holy Spirit will present us with both, though we may respond quite differently in each case. In reality, challenge is probably that facet of our lives that will most fully cause us to grow with and in God, to understand and respond to God, and to receive abundant blessing (that is, the Holy Spirit) from God.

So I present to you today these two focal points around which our spiritual lives revolve in order to find fulfillment: the blessing and the challenge. It is for you to decide how you want to handle them and whether you want to invite the Holy Spirit of both challenge and blessing to be with you on your journey to eternal life. No one else can make that decision.

May God bless you.

Friar Victor Abegg, OFM Conv.
THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Pax et bonum